Parents of Ankita Bhandari Detained During India Gate Protest
Delhi Police detains Ankita Bhandari's parents and opposition leaders during a protest at India Gate demanding justice and revocation of Governor appointment.
A high-voltage demonstration at India Gate turned into a major confrontation on Thursday morning as Delhi Police detained the parents of Ankita Bhandari and several prominent opposition leaders. The overnight protest, which had been ongoing since October 14, 2026, was aimed at demanding justice for the 19-year-old murder victim and protesting the recent appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Gautam as the Governor of Sikkim.
Demands for Justice and Revocation of Appointment
The protesters, led by Ankita's grieving parents, Virendra Singh Bhandari and his wife, have raised serious concerns regarding the "VIP angle" in the murder investigation. They are demanding that the Central Government immediately revoke Dushyant Gautam's appointment as Governor until the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) completes its probe into the case.
The tension escalated during the early hours of October 15. At approximately 4:00 a.m., police launched an operation to clear the protest site at India Gate. During this crackdown, several high-profile Congress figures were taken into custody, including:
- Pawan Khera
- Supriya Shrinate
- Kazi Nizamuddin
Political Heavyweights Join the Protest
The demonstration saw significant involvement from top leadership of the opposition. On the evening of October 14, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited the site. They met with the Bhandari family, offering their full support and assuring them that the party would fight for justice.
Other notable figures present at the demonstration included Imran Pratapgadhi, activist Yogita Bhayana, and several other Congress representatives. The leaders joined the family in voicing their outrage over the perceived interference in the legal process due to political appointments.
Parents Released Amid Threats of Nationwide Protest
While the parents of Ankita Bhandari were initially detained alongside the political leaders, they were released by the police around 6:00 a.m. However, the release has not dampened their resolve. Following his release, Virendra Singh Bhandari issued a stern warning, stating that if the appointment of Dushyant Gautam is not cancelled, they will launch a nationwide protest.
He has also made a formal appeal to President Droupadi Murmu to intervene in the matter. Adding to the intensity of the situation, Ankita's mother declared that if the family is prevented from protesting in public spaces, she will initiate a hunger strike at their home.
The Background: The Ankita Bhandari Murder Case
The demand for justice stems from the tragic murder of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari in September 2022. Her body was recovered from the Vanantara Resort in Rishikesh, an event that sent shockwaves through the country. A charge sheet has already been submitted against multiple accused individuals, including the owner of the resort and Pulkit Arya, the son of a former BJP leader.
The recent political developments have reignited the case, with the opposition accusing the government of attempting to shield influential figures through administrative appointments.